A small campus doesn't have to be a quiet campus. Elms College students are taking the planning of campus activities into their own hands through the recently formed Student Activities Board. Earlier this semester, four of them traveled to a Northeast conference of the National Association for Campus Activities to seek ideas and resources for how to make for a more lively campus when classes are not in session.

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Student Activities Board Enlivens Campus

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Wed Dec 5, 2012

A small campus doesn't have to be a quiet campus. Elms College students are taking the planning of campus activities into their own hands through the recently formed Student Activities Board. Earlier this semester, four of them traveled to a Northeast conference of the National Association for Campus Activities to seek ideas and resources for how to make for a more lively campus when classes are not in session.

Sara Edwards '15, Angela Nurek '16, Atiera Horne '14, and Tara Leite '14 joined new Director of Student Activities Megan Kielty at the three-day event in Hartford, Connecticut, presenting them with the opportunity to meet, socialize, and exchange ideas with activities board members from across this region, as well as vendors and performers who make regular stops at college campuses.

Sara, an elementary education and history major and fine arts minor, was inspired by the conference. "I felt like I came back to campus with a lot more knowledge than I left with," she said. "I was able to go to quite a few educational sessions that showed me how to start and implement new traditions, events, and school spirit as well as appealing to the diverse campus that Elms is." Sara is the director of the special events committee on the student activities board, aside from being involved in student government, campus ministry, and working as an admissions ambassador.

"Being in the same room with so many different talented individuals was mind-blowing," said Atiera, a sociology major who is directing the entertainment committee. "Meeting other college students who are part of the student activities board at their school was another great experience," she added. Tara, a paralegal studies major, and Angela, a nursing major, agreed that seeing what other schools are doing for student activities was the most valuable part of the experience.

The student activities board was founded during the fall 2012 semester and includes committees for special events, entertainment and travel, each with a director and committee-members. It is entirely student-run, and all students are invited to participate.

Full of new ideas, the board is already running some smaller events and planning some larger ones, such as a first-ever spring concert, slated for next semester. New ideas and members are always welcome, and any interested students can contact Megan Kielty at kieltym@elms.edu or stop by the student activities office.